A shortstop and third baseman, Purtell played from 1908 to 1939, with occasional interruptions in-between. For example, he did not play in 1914, 1918, 1919, 1925, 1927, 1932, 1935 or 1937. He was never a strong hitter, hitting near the Mendoza Line multiple times and never hitting more than six home runs in a season. His statistical record is incomplete, however it is known that he had at least 1,541 hits, of which at least 190 were doubles, 40 were triples and 12 were home runs.[1]